Powerheads?

[SmedleysReef]

I see a lot of talk about these powerheads. I have a 20g tank with two 30g rotary filters running. There is a decent amount of water movement going on there. I can see the plants moving that are inside the rock about to come out (since I'm only 2 days into this tank).

Do you think I need to get a powerhead? From what I've seen they are around 150-200 if I'm looking at the correct equipment. So whats your guys opinions?

I say No.

 

[Fitz19d]

You have a ton to learn apparently. You can get used koralia's suitable for a 20g for $5-15. Yes you can get fancy tiny Mp10 for $200+ too. But you have bigger concerns such as using a "rotary" filter which I take to mean a biowheel. (Nitrate factory bad...) 2 days into a tank, have you even cycled, or I'm wondering what these "plants" of yours are.

 

[SmedleysReef]

I'm in the cycling process now. I received the rock from my LFS that was already in their tanks, I'm assuming that's why the "plants" are growing already. I put the live rock in Sunday evening. What kind of GPH should I look for?

 

[SmedleysReef]

If I just take the biowheel off...will these filters still be okay? The LFS said they were but I'm not so sure they are experts either...not in the saltwater field anyhow.

Also, the plant appears to be a zooplanton possibly.

 

[Fitz19d]

Flow rate will depend what you want to keep. Any pictures of these "plants". I ask because I've seen people call corals plants. Call aiptasia plants. And call algae plants. Generally reefers don't consider much of what we grow "plants".

If you are cycling (threw in some fish food or something to kick it off or started with some dead rock that would start a cycle.) then whatevers living may not last.

Zoo plankton are not something you would just see growing all over.


As biowheels I suppose can work if you replaced them constantly, but really as far as I'm aware people will use just the box and pump of these types of filters to use other forms of filtration. Either adding live rock rubble to make a little refugium of sorts, or running bags with carbon and phosban etc. (In a pinch I used one with another koralia powerhead to provide aeration for my mantis tank. Just had a sponge/filterfloss I replaced regular and some carbon.)

Someone else can probably explain using HOB filters in reef keeping better. Usually yes you may see them on small tanks like yours. (On a big 120 not so much.)

 

[SmedleysReef]

photo

photo

I'll get a photo up ASAP. Uploading now.

 

[SmedleysReef]

Pic

Pic

Here's the photo...thanks for all the help Fitz.

Its very small right now but seems to be spreading somewhat fast I suppose. I think by tomorrow after getting home from work it will be significantly larger.

 

[pmcarbrey]

That's a ball anemone, they're a harmless hitchhiker but most consider them a pest.

 

[Fitz19d]

I think they are cool. Will like lower light so generally stay on back ends of rocks away from where you'd have coral anyways. I have some similiar ones that are getting somewhat large. Then some smaller pink ones like yours. Though I havn't noticed them of late, think they receeded.

 

[SmedleysReef]

cool

cool

Yeah I agree they are cool. Just wanted to make sure they were harmless. I appreciate the help guys. I'm going to purchase a couple of powerheads today.
:thumbsup:
Thanks

 

[rocsec1]

You can't see the selling forum yet but check some of the club forums for power heads for sale. You can find some really good prices for used equipment that way.

 

[SmedleysReef]

Cool. Thanks. When can I see the selling page?